4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Kittycat]

I have 3 hybrids who have each laid one a day for the last 5 months. 10 days ago, Treacle became broody and has not laid since. I have tried dunking her in icy water but she seems to enjoy it and within 20 minutes is back in the nest box. I am getting hubby to get our old dog crate out of the loft this weekend, which should hopefully sort her out.

 

However, Pepper, our Light Sussex cross, is not broody as far as I am aware and yet for the last 2 or 3 days has been into the nest box, come out 15 minutes later doing her usual egg announcement bokking, but NOT produced any egg

 

Might this be something to do with having a broody companion? Could she be egg bound? Or is she simply having a rest but still feels the need to keep up appearances?

 

Any thoughts gratefully received as ever.

[ubereglu]

Starlet did this a lot last year, but she's back laying now. I think it's possibly because of her broody friend, as is she trying to lay where the broody is? She obviously doesn't like being disturbed. Are they allowed to free-range? Check that there isn't another nest in the garden where they're actually laying.

[Kittycat]

Thanks - after 3 days off she's started to lay again so, hopefully, just a blip. Her broody friend has finally snapped out of it too, so that probably helped